PRICKLY SUBJECT: THE PINEAPPLE EXTRAVAGANZA

The pineapple has long been a symbol of hospitality in design and architecture and is still trending today. So what better way to start the new year with a token of welcome, friendliness and graciousness and a compilation of images celebrating the now universal exotic and prickly fruit.

A-Gent of Style started compiling images of pineapples represented in interior design about six months ago and this feature wouldn’t have been possible partly without the help of the treasure trove of inspiration that is Instagram, so a big thank-you first and foremost to all my follow Instagramers from whom some of these images are borrowed.

“Pineapple” wallpaper by Adelphi Paper Hangings

Lyford Cay Club, by Tom Scheerer

Lyford Cay Club, by Tom Scheerer

Christopher Columbus discovered the pineapple, or ananas colossus, when he landed in Guadeloupe in 1493 and introduced it to the west on his return as “pine of the Indians”. This beautiful exotic fruit was given as a gift to promote hospitality and welcome. Pineapples were then extremely expensive (sugar and sweets were very uncommon) and were considered as a sign of prestige and affluence, first adorning homes and tables; much prized, the pineapple was often the centrepiece of table displays. In fact, people who could not afford to serve pineapples could rent them, use them as a centerpiece, and give them back after their banquet was over. By the 18th century, architects in Europe introduced the fruit in their work, carved in wood and stone, because of their novelty and value.

The Dunmore Pineapple, Scotland, a folly and summerhouse built for the fourth Earl of Dunmore in 1761 on the ground of Dunmore House, Scotland, featuring a 14 metre high carved stone pineapple on the top of the building.

The pineapple folly at Dunmore Estate, Scotland

A seventeenth-century painting of King Charles II receiving from his gardener the first pineapple ever to be grown in Britain. The depiction of the scene is a reflection of just how important an event it was.

Today, we see pineapples not only on facades and on the framework of historical edifices such as stately homes, churches or government buildings, doorways but also on fabric, wallpaper, tableware, lighting, ornaments, furniture and accessories.

Set of two metal table lamps with glass pineapple adornments from Joss & Main

Carolyne Roehm

Carolyne Roehm via Mark D Sikes instagram

via jourdan682 instagram

Pineapple silk damask by De Gournay

De Gournay silk damask

via Pigotts Store instagram

Console table by Chelsea Textiles at Ham Yard Hotel

Talbot Green Brocatelle. An original design by A W N Pugin represented by Watts & Co taken from a set of vestments at Pugin’s own church St Augustine’s Ramsgate and rewoven for St Chad’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Birmingham. Watts and Co. Church Fabric Supplier

by Cressida Bell

Studio Printworks Pineapple wallpaper or fabric

from The Rug Company

via Piggots Store instagram

by Chelsea Textiles

photograph by Julie Tinton

via jourdan682 instagram

Interior by and via Alessandra Branca instagram

Wisteria by Rose Tarlow

by Muriel Brandolini

Tinto wools by Zoffany

from Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. A 1940s six branch tole chandelier in the form of a pineapple, French

King’s Head, fabric by Vanderhurd

from 1stDibs

photograph by Julie Tinton

By Henri fitzwilliam lay, H&G Dec 2013

by Krishna Howlaji Ara, Untitled (still life)

by smallable.com via madabouthehouse.com

via adecorativeaffair instagram

fabric by Atelier d’Offard

wallpaper by Greg Kinsella

Interior of Marie Helene de Taillac, NYC

The Pineapple Frond wallpaper by Soane Britain

by Rose & Grey

Nicky Haslam Design for OKA

via Piggots Store instagram

by House of Hackney

via adecorativeaffair instagram

by Abigail Ahern

Pineapple fabric – Waverly Fabric Collection: Island Life

Maison CHARLES -Pair of Pineapple Motif Table Lamps from 1stdibs.com

Dorothy Draper framed Pineapple fabric, panel signed from 1stdibs.com

via jourdan682 instagram

Furnishing fabric by Pugin from the V&A

via paolomoschino instagram

by House of Hackney

Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) visited Queensland in 1920 on behalf of his father, King George V, to thank Australians for the part they had played in World War I. The banquet at Finney’s Cafe was gaily printed in the shape of a pineapple, and it is one of the earliest menus in the ‘royal visits’ collection.

by Rose & Grey

by Pentreath Hall

by Hannah Rampley

Staircase finial at Durham Castle

by Little Greene

by Thornback & Peel

A German silver pineapple cup and cover, 1610, that belonged to Michael Inchbald. Christie’s auction 2014